QM2 virus..what you should know

[fantasy51]

Candhu18, that makes for interesting reading. Thanks. The Queen Victoria score for January was down to 89.

[candhu18]

Perhaps more to the point is that the QE had a score in the high 90s, so if Cunard can achieve that on one of their ships surely they can replicate on the other two.

[fantasy51]

Perhaps more to the point is that the QE had a score in the high 90s, so if Cunard can achieve that on one of their ships surely they can replicate on the other two.

 

If you look back at the scores for the other two ships over previous years, you'll see 100 on a few occasions. Do you think it's possible that they sent their most knowledgeable staff to the QE and that's why QE's scores are high and the others are declining? Another factor could be relative ages of ships, or QE could have been fitted with knowledge of particular factors in mind - learning from the other ships.

[barbjd106]

I was also on this ship with my husband. It was our first (and last?) time on Cunard.

 

We were both disappointed and felt the procedures during 'red alert' changed according to.... well according to what we do not know. We were in the Britannia main seating at table 44 and some nights we had salt and pepper shakers and some nights we did not. Some nights the milk for coffee was on the table, and some not. Menus did reappear for dessert selection.

 

We were invited as quests to the party Friday evening (with the most traveled guest) on the ship and I asked for something to eat for her. I asked a female blonde officer. She spoke back to me in a rude manner saying I should know that no food would be served that was non-essential. Perhaps she could say, "I am so sorry but we cannot...."

 

We were tremendously disappointed in the attitude of the staff and the condition of the ship. The service was poor even prior to the red alert and the ship looks tired. I cleaned the faucets and handles of our cabin with alcohol (the cheap kind!) daily, and at the first cleaning they were very dirty on the undersides.

 

I ordered a dinner for my husband and me in a specialty restaurant before we embarked asking for a special note to him with the certificate. They spelled his name wrong!!!!!

 

Cunard's best asset is its passengers who were lovely and kind. We enjoyed meeting so many nice people. The staff and ship: Not so much.

 

Barbara

[BOOKBUB]

We just returned from the QM2 yesterday. It was our first time on Cunard and felt it was a great experience despite the Norovirus outbreak.

 

Just a few quick observations:

 

-The outbreak was evident for the entire second half of the voyage, it was never completely under control.

 

-The Captain gave regular announcements about progress.

 

-The crew were obviously working extra hard to contain the outbreak.

 

-The only odd thing about our usual stateroom maintenance was that it was not vacuumed. Something to do with controlling the virus?

 

-We saw several staterooms (on our deck 11) each day that were being "super sanitized". It was obvious that it was a continuing outbrreak.

 

-Most of the furniture onboard is made of wood and fabric, I doubt that there is a practical way to sanitize much of it.

 

 

We always use hand sanitizer when we are out in a restaurant or other public area.

 

We would not hestitate to book another cruise on Cunard. It is well known that the norovirus occurs in many crowded environments.

[fantasy51]

Someone posted a link yesterday showing that of all the norovirus cases reported in the USA, only 4% of them are on cruise ships (and presumably ocean liners). Care facilities make up well over 50% of cases reported. That sounds like another reason to retire to a ship rather than a care facility!

[pepperrn]

We just returned from the QM2 yesterday. It was our first time on Cunard and felt it was a great experience despite the Norovirus outbreak.

Hi BOOKBUB,

So pleased to read that you had a good time, despite the obvious problems associated with a noro outbreak :(/:) .

Just a few quick observations:

-The outbreak was evident for the entire second half of the voyage, it was never completely under control.

-The Captain gave regular announcements about progress.

-The crew were obviously working extra hard to contain the outbreak.

-The only odd thing about our usual stateroom maintenance was that it was not vacuumed. Something to do with controlling the virus?

-We saw several staterooms (on our deck 11) each day that were being "super sanitized". It was obvious that it was a continuing outbrreak.

-Most of the furniture onboard is made of wood and fabric, I doubt that there is a practical way to sanitize much of it.

We always use hand sanitizer when we are out in a restaurant or other public area.

Much of the above I noticed when I was on a crossing that followed a noro outbreak on a previous voyage. I was VERY impressed with the precautions taken by the crew, regardless of postion or rank. Glad to read that is still the case.

We would not hestitate to book another cruise on Cunard. It is well known that the norovirus occurs in many crowded environments.

Indeed it is a part of modern life, on land as well as at sea, it would seem (hospitals, hotels, prisons, "homes", restaurants, off-shore oil rigs, cruise ships, a Liner etc). Very pleased to read that you'll book another Cunard voyage :) .

 

All best wishes, :)

[pepperrn]

Someone posted a link yesterday showing that of all the norovirus cases reported in the USA, only 4% of them are on cruise ships (and presumably ocean liners). Care facilities make up well over 50% of cases reported. That sounds like another reason to retire to a ship rather than a care facility!

Sounds good to me :D . I'm convinced.

[Underwatr]

-The only odd thing about our usual stateroom maintenance was that it was not vacuumed. Something to do with controlling the virus?

The vacuum cleaners don't have HEPA filters so you're more likely to get the viruses airborne while vacuuming.

[balf]

Someone posted a link yesterday showing that of all the norovirus cases reported in the USA, only 4% of them are on cruise ships (and presumably ocean liners). Care facilities make up well over 50% of cases reported. That sounds like another reason to retire to a ship rather than a care facility!

 

I sometimes despair of the way statistics are viewed by many people.

 

I don't know the ratio of care facilities to cruse ships in USA, but it must be obvious that there are vastly more of them than cruise ships. It's like saying there are more auto accidents in USA that in Andora. Well there would be.

 

To use crude comparisons like this without even considering the relative numbers involved is pointless.

 

David.

[fantasy51]

Lighten up David! Smell the roses. Look for the light-hearted approach to things you read. Don't be literal all the time. There's a world of amusement out there - if you approach it in that way.

[olegna]

I sometimes despair of the way statistics are viewed by many people.

 

I don't know the ratio of care facilities to cruse ships in USA, but it must be obvious that there are vastly more of them than cruise ships. It's like saying there are more auto accidents in USA that in Andora. Well there would be.

 

To use crude comparisons like this without even considering the relative numbers involved is pointless.

 

David.

 

Statistics are always interesting and always need to be viewed carefully.

A medical doctor on board the QM2 voyage in question was giving a lecture on Healthy Traveling. In his timely presentation, he noted that if NORO virus is present on air planes, trains or other transportation vehicles other then ships, it is NOT required to be reported to the US authorities. Perhaps this is why cruise ships get a bad rap......

[Cape Cod Sally]

I was on the Xmas cruise on the QM2 last year. I was with my family of 9. At the last minute my husband decided not to come because his CF had gotten worse. Lo and behold on the second day I got the norovirus. So glad he wasn't sharing the cabin with me! It was not fun but I made it through the 48 or more hours in my cabin. After the initial illness I just slept. The crew couldn't have taken better care of me. When I was better, I enjoyed the rest of the cruise however I never regained my appetite. I had a scheduled physical in January at home and my doctor had "ordered" at least a 10 pound weight loss for me. I accomplished that and more and didn't tell her why! I wanted to bask in my "success"! The rest of my family was virus free!

Will be back on the QM2 on January 3rd and can hardly wait!

 

Sally

[Pushka]

I was on the Xmas cruise on the QM2 last year. I was with my family of 9. At the last minute my husband decided not to come because his CF had gotten worse. Lo and behold on the second day I got the norovirus. So glad he wasn't sharing the cabin with me! It was not fun but I made it through the 48 or more hours in my cabin. After the initial illness I just slept. The crew couldn't have taken better care of me. When I was better, I enjoyed the rest of the cruise however I never regained my appetite. I had a scheduled physical in January at home and my doctor had "ordered" at least a 10 pound weight loss for me. I accomplished that and more and didn't tell her why! I wanted to bask in my "success"! The rest of my family was virus free!

Will be back on the QM2 on January 3rd and can hardly wait!

 

Sally

 

 

That's a great story! And glad you recovered enough to enjoy part of the cruise.

[brigittetom]

There is something I've observed in KC on every single QM2 trip.....simply because of the table arrangements. People sticking their fingers in their mouths to pick their teeth.....then touching parts of the table, salt & peppers, and arms of the chairs. Turns my stomach every time. This with the constant warnings from the Captain during a code red environment. Last week even saw the very attractive RADA blonde do this at the pool bar while holding the drink menu. All the talking in the world will never convince these thoughtless oafs that they are a huge part of the problem. One lady was walking thru KC licking her fingers as she went...then touched the glove of the server who handed her the coffee......which means that the next beverage recipient will have that passed on.

 

I don't know how Cunard can do any more than they do if passengers don't cooperate. I can only imagine how many passengers are not 100% when they board but are not about to miss their long awaited cruise.....although that one I can at least sympathise with. What would you do if you leave home completely healthy......fly to NY....spend a few days enjoying NYC and wake up embarkation day feeling rather iffy. Luckily for me that happens in reverse......mine kicks in a few days after I get home....then I think about all the bad behavior I saw on the ship.

 

Obviously the gloves the staff wears are to protect themselves from our germs...not the other way around. I had completely forgotten about the casino until this last trip. There are a few sanitizers on the walls but you really have to search for them. I have always pushed elevator buttons with my knuckles, spent 5 min trying to get out of bathrooms without touching the handles, risk falling down a flight of stairs by never touching the handrails....and yet I had no problem going from machine to machine happily touching every button in sight. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

[Pushka]

I have always pushed elevator buttons with my knuckles, spent 5 min trying to get out of bathrooms without touching the handles, risk falling down a flight of stairs by never touching the handrails....and yet I had no problem going from machine to machine happily touching every button in sight. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

And that is exactly the issue. It isn't the obvious that will bring you undone!

 

At a buffet in Vietnam, it was crowded with kids and adults. Just a horrible place with all the people, given it was a 5 star resort. One guy picked up a bread roll in his hands, examined it then put it back on the buffet. Disgusting. So i picked it up, with the tongs, and put it back on his plate. He just shrugged like I was a madwoman. He may be right. But he did eat it.

[Pennbank]

And that is exactly the issue. It isn't the obvious that will bring you undone!

 

At a buffet in Vietnam, it was crowded with kids and adults. Just a horrible place with all the people, given it was a 5 star resort. One guy picked up a bread roll in his hands, examined it then put it back on the buffet. Disgusting. So i picked it up, with the tongs, and put it back on his plate. He just shrugged like I was a madwoman. He may be right. But he did eat it.

 

Wouldn't that also have put a risk of contaminating the tongs and the items of food touching the returned bread roll ?

[Pushka]

Wouldn't that also have put a risk of contaminating the tongs and the items of food touching the returned bread roll ?

 

Probably yes. I thought extracting the roll at the time and quickly giving it back to him was the most important thing. Thinking about it now it was probably all too little anyway given the number of kids around using the buffet and no supervision.

[brigittetom]

We are not all likely going to do the exact right thing at all times but I think it would go a long way if at the very least we do our best to go by basic good manners. I used to think that older generations taught their children better manners than those taught now but obviously it's very wrong to generalize and putting 2600 people on one ship proves that without a doubt. :)

[roscoe39]

Probably yes. I thought extracting the roll at the time and quickly giving it back to him was the most important thing. Thinking about it now it was probably all too little anyway given the number of kids around using the buffet and no supervision.

 

but I think you did the right thing...wouldn't the 5 second rule apply here???? you know...when food drops on the floor it's ok as long as it hasn't been there longer than 5 seconds????

 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:

[fantasy51]

but I think you did the right thing...wouldn't the 5 second rule apply here???? you know...when food drops on the floor it's ok as long as it hasn't been there longer than 5 seconds????

 

:D:D:D:D:D:D:

 

Roscoe, I thought the 5-second rule only applied if you had dogs: if you don't pick it up within 5 seconds the dogs will get it.

[gwj2001us]

My wife and I just returned from the September 10, 2013 sailing of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 to New England and Canada and, although we liked the cruise, we learned some important lessons regarding the Norovirus.

 

Upon sailing from NYC on Tuesday afternoon, the only advice we received from Cunard staff and literature was to wash hands frequently and use the hand sanitizers frequently. To Cunard's credit, the hand sanitizers were amply available throughout all public areas of the ship. My wife is sort of a "Clean Freak" and always washes her hands frequently plus she utilizies the hand sanitizers. I would place her in the top 5% of passengers with respect to hand washing and sanitizing. I, on the other hand, would place myself somewhere in the middle of this category - although I never entered or left a public area without using the hand sanitizer.

 

On Saturday afternoon around 3 pm and four full days into the cruise, my wife displayed the first obvious symptoms of the Norovirus and I followed suit about 5 hours later. From that point on, my wife and I were extremely ill. When I called the Medical Center onboard, pain and dehydration medicine was prescribed and delivered shortly thereafter. Although my wife's symptoms ended after 12 hours, my illness was more severe and lasted more than 24 hours. I was advised to confine myself to my cabin for 48 hours _after_ the last symptom ended. Due to the number of passengers exhibiting symptoms of the Norovirus, Cunard offered complimentary laundry and room service which I had to utilize since I was confined to my cabin for a total of 3.5 days. During the last 36 hours of confinement, I finally had somewhat of an appetite but the complimentary room service only consisted of clear broth and other liquids - and room service would not accommodate my request for more solid food.

 

Cunard, to their credit, after the outbreak of Norovirus was evident late on Sunday afternoon, instituted stringent sanitary procedures in the King's Court Buffet. Passengers could no longer serve themselves but rather, everything, including coffee and tea, would be handed to or served to them by a crew member wearing gloves. And those procedures lasted until the very end of our cruise.

 

Cunard began showing a prepared Norovirus video on channel 41 explaining all of the new sanitary procedures and advising passengers not to touch hand rails or even the buttons on the elevator without some sort of barrier between your hand and the object. The video further stated that "These safety precautions are usually only instituted the first 48 hours of your cruise."

 

Lessons learned from this unfortunate experience:

 

1. A passenger does not want to contract the Norovirus - it is extremely unpleasant - I consider myself to be very healthy and took all usual and typical precautions and yet I contracted the Norovirus and it made me extremely sick for well over 24 hours.

 

2. The Norovirus is transmitted by touching surfaces - so don't touch handrails, buttons on elevators, chairs, tables, etc. directly - carry and use a paper towel to touch those surfaces. Don't use public toilets onboard.

 

3. Cunard's video made one rather damning statement: "These safety precautions are usually only instituted the first 48 hours of your cruise." Why weren't these extreme precautions instituted for the first 48 hours of our cruise as stated? If they had been instituted, would that have likely prevented the outbreak? I think the answer is, "Yes, possibly." Daily announcements by the Captain after the initial outbreak stated that right up to the end of the cruise, there were still new cases of the Norovirus onboard the QM2. We were, of course, never told exactly how many passengers onboard the QM2 contracted the Norovirus.

 

My wife and I have sailed different cruise lines to many ports around the world including two visits to Istanbul and have had no health problems before this one. We certainly find it ironic that we were both struck by the Norovirus on the QM2 while sailing off the coast of New England.

[Underwatr]

3. Cunard's video made one rather damning statement: "These safety precautions are usually only instituted the first 48 hours of your cruise." Why weren't these extreme precautions instituted for the first 48 hours of our cruise as stated? If they had been instituted, would that have likely prevented the outbreak? I think the answer is, "Yes, possibly."

Just a guess, but it may be because this is a bit early in the annual Norovirus "season." According to info on the CDC webpage, Norovirus cases run on an annual cycle that begins roughly in September through April and peaks in January. The cruises I've taken in February & March typically have a 48-hour period where anti-contamination measures are more overt but the cruises I've taken in September & October typically haven't, that I can recall.

[cunardaddict]

3. Cunard's video made one rather damning statement: "These safety precautions are usually only instituted the first 48 hours of your cruise." Why weren't these extreme precautions instituted for the first 48 hours of our cruise as stated? If they had been instituted, would that have likely prevented the outbreak? I think the answer is, "Yes, possibly." Daily announcements by the Captain after the initial outbreak stated that right up to the end of the cruise, there were still new cases of the Norovirus onboard the QM2.

 

I do believe that this video is shown on the beginning of each journey for 48 hours. If there is no outbreak of Noto, they will stop showing the video. If Noro is available they will continue broadcasting this video.

 

I do understand that you are upset by your fate, but it certainly is not the fault of Cunard.

 

 

 

Gesendet von meinem Transformer TF101 mit Tapatalk 4

[gwj2001us]

"I do believe that this video is shown on the beginning of each journey for 48 hours. If there is no outbreak of Noto, they will stop showing the video. If Noro is available they will continue broadcasting this video."

 

I do assure you that on this cruise the video was not shown until the outbreak of the Norovirus.